In Car Accessories – organise the family car!

March 5, 2010 By 3 Comments
Carganizer

Carganizer

Are you sick of kid’s toys, food wrappers, drink bottles, sporting gear, your mobile phone and more rolling around and cluttering up your car? Life with kids can involve a lot of time spent in the family car – going to school/kindy, after school activities, weekend sport, birthday parties and holidays – as mums and dads we often feel like a taxi service!

Keeping your car organised can make this time in the car a little more enjoyable as everything will have a place, you will easily be able to find things and you will feel like the car is all in control!

There is a fantastic range of interior car accessories available that is all superb quality and can organise every bit of your car from the driver, to the rubbish, the kid’s toys and all the gear in the boot. We use them for our kids and they are fantastic!

In this post we talk about a few of the range:

Let’s start at the front of the car – the driver!

Swingaway

Swingaway

For the driver there is the Swingaway or Carganizer – both of these organisers have loads of pockets to hold all of the essentials you have in the car. There are places for your mobile phone, GPS, directions, mail, CD’s, tissues and wipes, drinks, your sunglasses and anything else you need close at hand. One sits on the passenger seat, and one hangs – so whatever your personal taste, they will both organise you!

The other item the driver can use is the Puff & Stuff – I have this one in my car and cannot live without it. It has a great spot at the base for a box of tissues, two side mesh pockets which I use for wipes, and a leak proof rubbish bin at the top, so handy when the kids hand me their banana peel or dirty tissue, or for my empty coffee cup!

Puff & Stuff

Puff & Stuff

There is also a floor rubbish bin that can sit in the front or back, again is 100% leak proof so great for half consumed drinks, it has a weighted base and rigid sidewalls to keep it sturdy and will hold loads of family rubbish!

And for the kids:

For the kids, there are 2 types of organisers – the Kids Car Organisers that sit in between 2 kids/car seats and the Back Seat Organisers, which hang on the back of the front seats. The beauty of both types is they will hold all of your kid’s toys, snacks, drinks etc, all within easy reach of your kids, so no more, Mum I can’t reach it!

Kids Car Organiser

Kids Car Organiser

Back Seat Organiser

Back Seat Organiser

The Kids Car Organiser has loads of room for kid’s toys with adjustable dividers so kids can separate their gear. It has a place for their drinks, a sturdy lid the kids can play a game on and attaches to the car with the seat belt to keep it secure. The Back Seat Organisers are great too for holding kids books and toys and work well if you have 3 kids along the back row. They are also good for adult stuff to hold your maps, umbrella and so on.

And the boot:

And for the boot of the car, you can’t go past the Cargo Tote or Cargo Pack – both provide handy storage for sporting gear and other things that normally roll around the boot of your car. The Cargo Tote is perfect for holding grocery bags and can then fold away when not in use.

Finally – grab some Car Hooks – perfect for hanging up your dry cleaning or other clothes, or for shopping bags to get them off the floor!

Cargo Pack

Cargo Pack

Car Hooks
Car Hooks

Please visit Haggus and Stookles E-store. We sell In Car Accesories and other high quality products for your kids there. Visit now,  you can find variety of products to choose from!


Other posts you might enjoy reading:

New Child Restraint Laws – what has changed?

Travelling in the car – how to keep kids entertained

Travelling in the car – tips and a checklist

Filed Under: Car Trips Tagged With:

New Child Restraint Laws – what has changed?

December 22, 2009 By 2 Comments

Car SeatAs a parent it’s important to know it’s not just infants that need approved child restraints. It’s now law for all children up to 7 years of age to be correctly restrained according to their size and age.

As of 11 March 2010, new child restraint laws will come into effect as a part of the Queensland Governments commitment to improving road safety and to bring the state into line with the national road rules.

All children up to seven years of age will need to be secured in an Australian Safety Standard approved child restraint, such as a capsule, child seat or booster seat according to their age and size.

The following provides a guide for parents and carers to selecting a suitable child restraint.

1. 0 to 6 months – Less than 8kgs – Rearward facing baby capsule or infant restraint

2. 6 months to 1 year – 8 to 12 kgs – Rearward or forward facing infant restraint

3. 6 months to 4 years – 8 to 18 kgs – Forward facing child restraint with built in harness

4. 4 years to 7 years – 14 to 26 kgs – Booster seat with H-harness* or a booster seat with a secured adult seatbelt

* An H-harness can continue to be used with or without a booster seat for a child up to 32 kgs

Safety Tips

1. Babies should change from a rearward to forward facing restraint at approximately 8-12 kgs. This will vary depending on the brand of restraint

2. Young children should progress towards the next level of child restraint once their eye level is above the back of their current restraint, or the harness straps are in excess of 25mm below the child’s shoulder height.

3. Only use restraints which have been approved by Australian Safety Standards

4. Check the manufacturer’s information and product guidelines on the child restraint to ensure correct usage

5. Children can move to an adults seatbelt before 7 years of age if their eye level is above the back of the booster seat

For further information go to www.transport.qld.gov.au/childrestraints or phone 13 23 80.

Please visit Haggus and Stookles E-store. We sell Child’s Safety Harness and other high quality products for your kids there. Visit now,  you can find variety of products to choose from!


Other posts you might enjoy reading:

Travelling in the car – how to keep kids entertained

Travelling in the car – tips and a checklist

Toilet training tips when out and about with toddlers

Filed Under: Car Trips, Out and About Tips Tagged With: ,

Travelling in the car – how to keep kids entertained

November 25, 2009 By 2 Comments
Alex Toys Car Valet - great for drawing in the car

Alex Toys Car Valet - great for drawing in the car

We all love a road trip. But let’s face it, children can be a nightmare in the back seat, causing all sorts of distraction to your driving, it is a wonder car insurance premiums don’t rise with your first born!

With the right prior planning, even the most energetic offspring can be entertained on a long car journey. Here are a few simple and time-tested ways to keep your kids entertained so that you can concentrate on your safe driving.

1. Car activities and games for kids are a real winner in the car for their enjoyment and for your sanity. Great activities and games for the car include colouring in, i-spy, first one to see, counting games, car bingo, rhyming games and make up a song games. Download some car games that are great fun and sure to keep kids entertained!

2. Another great activity for kids from 2 years in the car is a sticker book – you will not have to worry about toys rolling onto the floor and they will love spending time finding where the stickers go. Buy a new one for a long car trip.

3. Car organisers are also good in the car to hold the kids toys, drinks and snacks

High Road Kids Car Organiser

High Road Kids Car Organiser

4. Also try the Car Valet or Desk to Go from Alex Toys – your kids will be able to easily draw, colour in and do activities whilst travelling

Adore A View Mirror

Adore A View Mirror

5. If travelling with babies, the Adore A View Mirror is an excellent toy, as you will easily be able to see baby when they are rear facing but they can also see themselves – which is always great entertainment for them!

6. Music is also good entertainment in the car. There are some great CDs for kids featuring nursery rhymes and other kids songs as well as classical music toned for little ears. It’s amazing sometimes the difference it makes to your child’s behaviour by changing the music in the car from your favourite FM station to putting on a classical CD…kids can calm down very quickly.

7. Audio CDs books – a fun way for the kids to read, listen and follow a story

8. If you have older kids, give them a map so they can see where they are going and they can follow the way and look out for the next city or town.

9. They could also write down things they have seen, new foods they have eaten, the weather etc from their trip in a travel diary.

10. A portable DVD or CD/MP3/iPod player is also great entertainment for older children.

Blog us your favourite tools or tips to keep kids entertained in the car

Filed Under: Car Trips Tagged With:

Travelling in the car – tips and a checklist

November 2, 2009 By 6 Comments

girl in car5844152Travelling in the car with kids can be challenging at times. Here’s a checklist for keeping kids well fed and comfortable in the car – to make car time more enjoyable for all!

1. Always pack snacks, water bottles and if applicable, 2-3 baby bottles (with the correct water in each bottle and pre-measured formula in separate containers). You never know how long you can be held up in traffic or delayed at your destination so always take more food or drinks than required. There is an in car bottle warmer available so you can easily feed when on the go.

2. If travelling with more than one child, have a snack bag for each (with same contents to avoid fights). Include things like dry fruit, rice crackers, sandwiches, mini muffins and maybe a few small treats. Don’t fill them up on too much sugar though as they will then want to run around not sit in a car! There are some great food containers available that keep the contents cold for up to 8 hours – so you can safely take milk,  yoghurt and cheese on long trips.

3. If you are on a long car trip, pack an “in car” and an “in boot” bag with snacks. Take enough snacks and drinks from home so you can refills for the first few days of the trip so you don’t have to go to the shops straightaway.

4. Always keep in the boot of your car – a hat for each child, sunscreen, a few nappies and wipes, a portable potty, nappy sacks, pram/stroller, books/toys/activities, a blanket if it’s cold weather, first aid kit (include insect bite relief, burn cream, insect repellant).

5. If you are on a long trip, plan to stop every couple of hours for a toilet break, drink, something to eat and depending on the time of day some activity time. You can take a basketball or soccer ball so the kids can have a run around. If your kids get restless in the car and you have a very long drive, travel at night so they sleep in the car.

6. If your child is toilet training, you can take a travel potty with you and keep it always in the car, even if your child is well trained. Use a seat protector so if your child wets in the car, their car seat is protected.

Blog us your thoughts and any ideas for keeping kids comfortable in the car and any great in car snacks for kids.

Please visit Haggus and Stookles E-store. We sell Kids Water Bottles, Baby Utensils, Travel Potty and other high quality products for your kids there. Visit now,  you can find variety of products to choose from!

If you enjoyed reading this blog, you will probably enjoy this also:

Going to the park for a play-a few tips

Plane travel with kids – tips on packing carry on luggage

Travel tips for holidays with young children

Filed Under: Car Trips, checklists Tagged With: , ,

Toilet training tips when out and about with toddlers

October 22, 2009 By 1 Comment

iStock_000010127071XSmall[1]Toilet training and going out – now this is an experience! Seriously, if you are well prepared and well equipped it’s possible. Some kids only take a few days to toilet train, while others take a few months, so you will need to learn how to manage a child who is being toilet trained when out and about.

1. Preparation is the key - try to relax and remain calm.

2. Try and get your child to go to the toilet before you leave as this might ensure the car trip is dry.

3. At the shops, park, or wherever you are always find out where your closest parents room or toilet is, so last minute ‘I need to do a wee’ screams are less stressful.

4. When you arrive at your destination, take your child to the toilet. Then ask your child regularly if they need to do go. A good idea is to take them again before you sit down for morning tea or lunch, otherwise the minute your food and drinks arrive will be the time you will need to rush off!

Things to take with you when toilet training

1. 3 or 4 changes of clothes, including their very special undies, shirts, shorts, a few nappy sacks or bag-it bags for dirty clothes

2. A treat to reward if they do a wee or poo in the toilet (eg a sticker or chocolate)

3. A Portable Potty - this is the most essential item to keep in the car at allRed Potette 150x130 times (even after they are fully trained). The child does a wee or poo straight into the plastic potty bag, which then easily comes off to throw away. The potty comes in it’s own carry bag and it collapses down to a great travel size. It can fit in your handbag or under the pram. It is fantastic if you are going to the park where there are no toilets and also on a long car/walking trip. You can park the car and put it next to the car. A tip is to set up a clean potty refill bag in the potty after each use so you are ready to go for the next quick emergency.

4. Flushable wipes are very handy if there is no toilet paper in public toilets.

5. In the car, if you are concerned about your child wetting, you can use a seat protector which will keep your car seat dry and saves you having to strip the whole car seat if they have an accident.

6. Always ensure you have some anti-bacterial wipes for wiping up accidents or wiping down toilet seats, and an anti-bacterial spray.

7. Finally, as hard as it is try not to get upset if there are accidents when you are out, your child is learning something very new. Praise effort and success and ignore accidents as it could crush their confidence and set back their toilet training progress.

Travelling while toilet training

1. Take your travel potty with you so it’s handy to pull out at any time. You can fit a change of clothes, undies, wipes and nappy sacks (for soiled clothes) inside the potty bag.

2. Take a Brolly Sheet – this is a waterproof sheet protector that goes over the sheet. This is great to take on holidays so you don’t have to worry about the hotel/resort bed getting wet. The Brolly Sheet is useful at home as well.

3. If it’s early stages of training, it’s probably best not to travel too far or try anything too adventurous as you don’t want your child to feel stressed and go backwards in progress. Try not to put your child back in nappies as this might confuse them.

Let us know your top toilet training tips.

Please visit Haggus and Stookles E-store. We sell Toiletries and other high quality products for your kids there. Visit now,  you can find variety of products to choose from!

Other post you might enjoy reading:

In Car Accessories – organise the family car!

New Child Restraint Laws – what has changed?

Travelling in the car – how to keep kids entertained

Filed Under: Car Trips, Out and About Tips Tagged With:

Family road trip – ideas and tips

September 29, 2009 By 2 Comments
Harry all smiles on our road trip

Harry all smiles on our road trip

Our latest holiday with the kids (5 and 3), was a road trip through NSW.

We went to Coonabarabran to see the big telescope in the Wurumbungles, visited Dubbo Zoo, visited The Dish outside Parkes, saw the sites of the POW Cowra breakout, drove on Mount Panorama, plucked the strings on the big guitar at Tamworth, sang with the Tenterfield saddler and tried some wine in Stanthorpe – all in 6 nights. Harry (3) asked every day “new holiday today, Mummy?”, and he was right.  The round trip was 2,460km.

Coonabarabran Telescope

Telescope near Narrabri

Here are some top tips for long car trips with kids. Some are obvious but good to note and others we’ve discovered on the journey.

1. Before you go, get the car serviced and check the tyres, including the spare

2. Pack an “in car bag” and a “boot bag” with snacks. Buy enough for the first few days so you don’t have to buy supplies straight away. It’s then easy to restock when your “in car” bag is empty. We used a cooler bag which was great to keep drinks cold! The kids love the juice boxes and juice buddies.

3. We gave the kids each a wallet and $20 for them to buy “special things” they found on the way. This worked really well. We used it as a reward as well so if they knew they were good in the car, they might be able to buy a treat with their money.

4. Get the kids excited before they go, let them know where you are going and ask them what they would like to do. Try and incorporate it into your trip.

5. Have the kids write a travel diary every day, it’s a great record of their trip.

6. Play games with the kids in the car. As we drove through rural areas, we saw lots of animals. We played a game of “Spot It, Call it and Write it down”. We had a list of animals and each time someone saw one, they called it and marked it down. We also did a list of road signs (highway number, kms signs, “i’ information symbol, kangaroo signs etc). Our 5 year old loved these games. He added things along the way which was great.

7. If the kids like colouring in, sticker and activity books – get some new ones for each child.  They both loved doing these books in their car valets – they packed their books and textas inside and took them into the motel every night.

8. Stop every couple of hours for the kids to get out and stretch their legs. If you can combine this with a playground or park where you can kick the ball, the kids will love to burn some energy and they may well have a nap afterwards!!

9. We always timed petrol stops around meals stops.  Find the nearest park or fast food restaurant with a playground.  Get the kids out of the car, one of you can let them run around while the other one goes and fills up with petrol and gets something to eat.  When you are ready to leave, organize something for the kids to eat when you get back in the car.  This way they have had maximum time burning energy, and eating will amuse them for a while when they first get back into the car.  With tired legs and a full belly they may even drift to sleep!

Giraffe feeding at Dubbo Zoo
Giraffe feeding at Dubbo Zoo

10. Take music and a portable DVD player and DVDs – this way they can watch them in the car as well as where you stay.

11. If you don’t have a GPS, get maps from RACQ/NRMA or equivalent in your state.

12. From RACQ/NRMA or equivalent, you can also get an Australian wide accommodation booklet which was a lifesaver as we could look at ahead at towns/cities to work out where is good to stay and phone up ahead of time to check availability.

13. Get a car rubbish bin – the car was tidy and it was great to empty it at the end of each day.

14. The kids had their car organiser in the middle of the car seats. We use it every day but it was great to hold their drink bottles and some toys and books they had in the car.

15. Make sure you to take your road side assistance and car insurance contact numbers. Also, make sure your road side assistance membership, rego and insurance are all up to date.

Please visit Haggus and Stookles E-store. We sell Car Accessories and other high quality products for your kids there. Visit now,  you can find variety of products to choose from!

If you enjoyed reading this blog, you will probably enjoy this also:

Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon Review

Dubbo Zoo Review – a great day out or an awesome overnight experience

Parents weekend getaway – Mount Tambourine Review

Filed Under: Car Trips Tagged With: , ,

Time for a Family Road Trip?

September 1, 2009 By 2 Comments
Road Trip

Road Trip

Deciding to go on a family road trip can be a daunting challenge, not to mention an exercise in patience.  However if you prepare ahead of time, this type of trip can be one of the most memorable experiences of your family’s life.

Here are some quick and easy tips for making your family road trip a fun and safe one.

1. prepare a checklist of items you will need.  This might include first aid kit, food, snacks, drinks, and lots of toys, colouring books, paper and crayons, a portable DVD player so your kids can watch their favorite movies; and a cooler. Ask the kids what games they would like to take, within limits of course. A car seat organiser could hold all the items little people might want to have easy access to.

Ensure that the snacks are healthy in nature.  Too many sugar snacks can make them jumpy, and too many drinks will make more wee wee!. Be prepared with in car activities so you can avoid the kids getting bored or repeatedly asking you when you are going to arrive. Let’s face it nothing is worse than one or more children repeating “Are we there yet every 5 minutes”

The internet is an excellent place to find and print out games for the road that you and the kids can play along the way.  You’ll find all sorts of puzzles and riddles as well.

Now, if you have very young children you will need to take the old nappy bag and wipes for the occasional spills, blankets, pillows and a favourite stuffed animal for the young ones will keep them comfortable and snug enough that they’ll sleep well on the way. :)

2. Decide on the destination and then contact the RACQ for maps and ideas. Fill out the RACQ online trip planner or map out the scenic route, one that is much more calming and pleasing to the eye, especially for the driver!

3. As you check out the planned route you may want to look online to find petrol stations along the way. Best to plan where you’ll get your fuel and off course these stops are a good time for toilet breaks.  Also if there are any points of interest along the route mark them on the map you might like to stop to check them out.

4. While on the road ensure that you make pit stops regularly.  This will allow the kids to run around and let off some steam, while the adults can stretch and re-energize.  Pack a football or soccer ball so that the entire family can have some fun while stretching their legs at the same time.

Finally, Think safety.  This might include having the car checked at your local mechanic or petrol station before you leave. Ensure that the oil and filter are changed; the tyres are well inflated (don’t forget the spare tyre, too); the windshield wipers are replaced (if needed); and the car is in great condition before you head out. Check you have insurance in case your car breaks down or something unforseen happens.

You may want to place the following items in your boot: a lawn chair or few, extra blanket, emergency road kit, umbrellas, water, flashlight and batteries, a battery-powered radio, and windshield wiper cleaner.  In the glove box include a first aid kit and a car mobile phone charger.  Keep all medications in a Ziploc bag in the glove box as well, then they’re handy.

Another good idea is to take a list of telephone numbers including the hotel or motel where you are staying as well as those of family and friends you may need to contact. Also give a contact list of where you’ll be staying and your planned route to a family member or friend.

If you enjoy scrapbooking, this road trip may be a perfect opportunity to add new treasures to the book.  As you make stops at some scenic sites, ask the kids to find an item they would like to include in the scrapbook.  Or if the kids point out something along the way that they find fascinating, take a picture of it to include in the scrapbook as well.

Engage the kids in the decision making, age appropriate, and allow them to decide what they would like to bring.  Have them pack their clothes if they’re old enough (check they’re bags afterwards) so they feel part of the overall experience. A well planned family road trip will save you time, stress, and money.  And the kids will enjoy this holiday, too!

Please visit Haggus and Stookles E-store. We sell In Car Accessories, Nappy Bag and other high quality products for your kids there. Visit now,  you can find variety of products to choose from!

If you enjoyed reading this blog, you will probably enjoy this also:

Katoomba for Kids – Review

Hamilton Island with Kids-Review

Seven Ideal Family Attractions in Sydney

Filed Under: Car Trips Tagged With: